Drilling in East Texas continued active in 1947. Field-well completions totaling 557 wells are 6 per cent below the 1946 total. Completed wildcats totaling 101 wells are 9 per cent above the 1946 total.

Five new oil fields and three gas or gas-distillate fields were discovered. Five discoveries were completed in the Glen Rose, one each in the Eagle Ford, Woodbine, and Travis Peak formations. None appears to be a major discovery; however, the Blackfoot (Pettit) discovery in northern Anderson County may be proved important. The San Augustine (Pettit) discovery in northern San Augustine County stimulated leasing and exploration activities on the south flank of the Sabine uplift.

New producing zones were discovered at Carthage, Chapel Hill, Grapeland, Hawkins, Lassater, Quitman, Sand Flat, and Tri-Cities. Jurassic tests at Quitman, Hawkins, Coke, and Fairfield failed to disclose the downdip extent of Smackover porosity.

Geophysical exploration declined 34 per cent from 1946. An average of 13 reflection-seismograph crews, 2 gravity crews and 2 core-drill units was maintained through 1947. Exploration, which centered in the southern part of the district in 1946, shifted to the south flank of the Sabine uplift and to the northeast corner of the district.